concert hall

March 18, 2019

@IAMAconference 2019 is on the way

Whenever music and artist managers meet they talk about the incredibly exciting times that they are going through. Think about the Augean stables one has to clean every day-cancellations, financing and other challenges. While they deal with those, they also look ahead and set things up for the coming seasons. The artistic world is more fluid than ever and seems to be in a permanent transition. Is transition ever done? And what comes next?

IAMA conference space: Tonhalle Düsseldorf – Photo: Susanne Diesner

At the IAMA conference 2019 artist managers want to contemplate what is beyond all that. Düsseldorf, capital city of Germany’s most densely populated state North Rhine-Westphalia, offers a wonderful setting with its cosmopolitan spirit combined with the sense of a close-knit community. And there could be no better place to talk about transitions and beyond than Tonhalle Düsseldorf, which was once the biggest planetarium in the world and is now a concert hall presenting starry music performances.

Find the conference schedule here

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April 19, 2018

International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) Ceremony in Kattowice Concert Hall

This year, International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) ceremony has been an acclaimed event on April 6, 2018 in Kattowice (Poland).  Classical music scene is vibrant and alive, not only in Poland. Good video.

 

August 31, 2017

REOPENING OF @SuntoryHallE TOKYO AFTER RENOVATION

Suntory Hall (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi) celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2016. To mark this occasion, a major renovation has been carried out on the entire hall and the additional entrance has been constructed in a seven-month project that was launched in February 2017. Suntory Hall is scheduled to reopen its doors on 1 September.

The renovations were carried out under the basic concepts of “Tradition and Innovation” with focus on the three key points of “Inheriting Tradition–Acoustics and design”, “Designing Diversity – For all audiences”, and “Improving our facilities – Developing a next-generation performing space for music”.

In its pursuit of “the world’s most beautiful sound”, Suntory Hall will continue to take on challenges and engage in initiatives that can be achieved only by Suntory Hall. Initiatives are carried out based on the following guidelines:
1. Offering creative and high quality performances organized by the Hall
2. Engaging in educational programs aimed at the succession and development of music culture
3. Towards a more global Hall strengthening global services

  • Three key concepts behind full renovation of the Hall
  1. Inheriting Tradition – Acoustics and design

Since opening its doors in 1986, Suntory Hall has continued to pursue “the world’s most beautiful sound”. The renovations were carried out in order to maintain the acoustics and atmosphere of the Hall.

  1. Designing Diversity – For all audiences

The renovations focus on achieving universal design aimed at providing a comfortable environment to a wide range of visitors. The vineyard-style design dictates the need for slopes and other physical constraints, but every possible repair and improvement was carried out in several areas to ensure better accessibility.

  1. Improving our facilities – Developing a next-generation performing space for music

Remarkable cutting-edge technological innovations in acoustics and lighting have been incorporated in renovations to enhance facilities. The stage and seating area lighting have been changed to LED, and equipment such as digital signage and laser projectors have been newly installed.

Please see the following link for details:
http://www.suntory.com/culture-sports/suntoryhall/facility/reopening20170901/

  • Re-opening concert on 1 September

The main program of the Re-Opening Concert marking the new beginning of Suntory Hall after renovations will be Rossini’s “Messe solennelle (Missa Solemnis)”, performed using the critical edition by D. Daolmi/ Foundatione Rossini published in 2013 (Japan premiere).
Please come to enjoy the reopening of the new Suntory Hall featuring a full orchestra, mixed chorus, and the glorious sound of the organ that has undergone a full-scale overhaul by master craftsmen of the world-renowned Rieger Orgelbau of Austria.

Contact the following for interviews, inquiries or requests for photos or documents:
Public Relations Department, Suntory Hall
suntoryhall-pr@suntory.co.jp
Tel.: +81-(0)3-3505-1002 Fax: +81-(0)3-3505-1007
1-13-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-8403
http://suntory.jp/HALL/

March 22, 2017

#Classical #music 2017 business is more vibrant than ever

It’s not fake news. It’s true: the classical music business seems to be more vibrant than ever before. “A few decades ago, I would not have put money on the survival of the concerto, except as an antiquarian curiosity. Celebrity soloists continued milking the classics, but the rest of the music world seemed to have moved on from all that gladiatorial bravura, the individual versus the collective story line that made the genre such a Romantic-era staple”, writes Justin Davidson about the topic situation in New York.

 

Tenthousands of people listen to classical music – Oper für alle – Berlin

In Germany there are more crowds joining classical live music pereformances, festivals and events than the national soccer league, according to a STRAD report. A couple of new concert halls and music theatres in Bochum, Berlin (Pierre Boulez Hall at Barenboim-Said Foundation), Dresden and of course Hamburg (Elbphilharmonie) as well as refurbished venues in Munich, Dresden and other German cities (topic issue of the magazine “das Orchester”) show the refreshed power of classical music on major markets. German orchestras have doubled their education and outreach activities since 2004. For example: last week West German Radio Orchestra Cologne rushed out of the concert hall.13 chamber music ensembles visited some 100 primary schools in 55 cities in Northrhine-Westfalia and reached out to 20.000 kids. In one week! This is good news!

February 7, 2016

Symphony goes Soccer – @_Konzerthaus #Berlin

Did you know, that in Germany more people attend performances of publicly funded operas, theatres, orchestras and concert houses than games of the several German Soccer Leagues? Berlin Konzerthaus has been thinking about the parallel universums of a conductor and a soccer coach. Watch interesting impressions from the concert hall and the Berlin Olympic Stadium! Cheering audiences guaranteed.

This is the sound of Berlin – Konzerthaus and Hertha BSC.

May 27, 2015

Buenos Aires opens new Concert Hall

For a long time things didn’t run well in Argentina. And there are still many issues waiting to be improved, especially in the arts sector. Teatro Colón for example is suffering from severe mismanagement.

However, on May 21st 2015 a new arts centre (including a 1750-seat-concert hall) has been open in the more-than-refurbished former Main Post Office, downtown Buenos Aires (“Centro Cultural Kirchner“). Old architecture is combined with cutting-edge technical equipment. Acoustics are reported to be superb. One mustn’t agree with the Kirchner regime in political questions at all, but this new building seems to be an outstanding and interesting new hot spot for the National Symphony Orchestra as well as for internationally touring orchestras.

Watch the government “propaganda” video, which at least offers a good impressions of the new venue and the whole project:

March 21, 2014

Topic orchestra landscape in France

French orchestra landscape has a long historical background from this history resulting structures and specific challenges today. Very much centralised and, originally, a matter of royal patronage, the provision of classical music is still largely regarded as a public service. While artists enjoy considerable (financial) privileges, it is arguable if the current state of affairs can be preserved. While the reforms of Marcel Landowski, the influential arts administrator from the 1960s to the 1990s, helped to “regionalise” classical musical life, it has remained highly dependent on political support.

Philharmonie de Paris: To be opened 2015

Philharmonie de Paris: To be opened 2015

As a result, ensembles’ facilities and reputation often vary greatly. Some, like Toulouse and Lyon, have become high-profile orchestras, but in general many do not receive the recognition they deserve. For self-employed musicians the situation in France appears comfortable, as the French welfare system guarantees a kind of basic income for artists (“intermittents du spectacle”). Yet the system also does have its drawbacks, as it makes touring abroad (too) expensive – a problem, especially as many French music festivals are struggling with financial difficulties.

 

The French musicians’ union SNAM highlights some of the central issues facing musical life in France. SNAM strongly advocates a commitment to public funding, regarding the provision of classical music as a public service. At the same time, the union is wary of new legislation giving local politicians even greater sway over regional orchestras. The way to a professional position is a tough one: the French system is highly selective and in general places a greater emphasis on the training of soloist rather than orchestra musicians. At the same time, teachers are often poorly paid, even at top schools like the Conservatoire de Paris. And as elsewhere, graduates face a difficult job market with far more applicants than open positions.

 

Coveted employers are the two federal broadcasting ensembles, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and the Orchestre National de France (ONF). Central pillars of the French classical music landscape and comfortably financed, the ONF cultivates symphonic music of the 19th century, often acting as national cultural ambassador, whereas the Orchestre Philharmonique puts greater emphasis on contemporary works.

 

Fortunately there are some new concert halls currently in progress, in Paris (Philharmonie de Paris) and Lyon. As the responsible executives point out, the new spaces face – and respond to – changing social, cultural and economic situations: they carry classical music to the suburbs, reaching out to new audiences, and try to create inviting leisure environments, beyond a narrow conception of concert-going.